WHITE Cliff Minerals has finalised a drilling contract with Geostandart LLC for drilling at the Quartz Zone of its Aucu Gold Project in Kyrgyz Republic. Drilling will begin after access tracks and drill pads are completed.

Once the tracks are complete, company geologists will map and sample outcropping mineralised zones with assays expected to be available in late July. After geologists have determined the location and strike extent of the Quartz Zone, drill hole positions can be finalised.

The start of the exploration program was hampered by heavy spring flooding and snow melt. Floods washed away a section of the main access road from the Chatkal. An alternative access road from the north was established to allow bulldozer and excavator access. The access track to Aucu deposit is 23km-long and runs along the bottom of Chanach valley. Snow up to 4 metres high in some drifts had to be cleared from the access track.

A partially completed elevated access road built in Soviet times exists into the valley and as the project advances, it will be re-established to provide all-season access.

Further up the valley the track crosses Chanach River several times and flooding washed away parts of the track and altered river crossings. The bulldozer and excavator have repaired the track to allow access.

Phase one Quartz Zone RC drilling will comprise 15 holes for 1200 metres targeting the structure along strike from the existing drilling, which defined an inferred resource of 244,000 tonnes @ 9.5 g/t gold for 75,000 ounces. Once strike extent is defined, the company will drill a series of deeper holes to test mineralisation at depth.

Geostandart has a 15-year history in the Kyrgyz Republic and is a substantial provider of drilling services to varied clients, including several western exploration companies. It is one of only two drilling companies in the country able to conduct RC drilling.

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